RESIDENTS have clashed with the borough council over the use of an allotment site.

People living in Crescent Road want the land, which was overgrown before remedial work, to be turned into a play area.

But council chiefs, who residents say haven't tidied up the site to their satisfaction, are determined to keep it for its designated use.

Lea Shingler, who lives in Crescent Road, said: 'We have just been asking for the grass to be cut down so the children can play football on there, because otherwise they are playing in the road.

'But the council are going to keep the grass 12in high to stop children playing on it, saying it isn't meant for a play area or playground.

'The council has been saying for 20 years it will put it back to allotment land.'

Mr Shingler said the council has recently done some work to try to tidy the site but said he is less than impressed by the results.

'The ground has been all churned up and now there's rubble there,' he said.

'Mounds were created but then flattened out and are all over the place. And the fencing is all over the floor.'

Mike Whittaker, head of environ-mental services in the borough, said: 'The site at Crescent Road is not waste ground. It's a designated allotment site but, over time, it had suffered from lack of use, maintenance and problems of anti-social behaviour.

'We have recently cleared the area and, as planned, the land was left to settle before being rolled and seeded.

'We are also dealing with the poor fencing and have made some improvements.'

He added: 'Unfortunately, the cost of upgrading the site is significant, but our long-term objective is to make the area attractive to allotment users, providing there are budgets available.

'Demand for allotments is rising and there is already a waiting list for them in the borough.

'We're committed to providing allotments as part of a healthy neighbourhood mix because of their health benefits, particularly to the over-50 age group.'